The Dalai Lama, at his most compassionate and outspoken, here elaborates and deepens his vision for the nonreligious way. Transcending the mere "religion wars", he outlines a system of secular ethics that gives tolerant respect to religion, those that ground ethics in a belief in God and an afterlife, and those that understand good actions as leading to better states of existence in future lives. And yet, with the highest level of spiritual and intellectual authority, the Dalai Lama makes a claim for what he calls a third way.

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Publisher's Summary

Emmy Award-winning actor Martin Sheen (The West Wing) lends his distinguished voice to this stirring call to move beyond religion for the guidance to improve human life on individual, community, and global levels, including a guided meditation practice for cultivating key human values.

Ten years ago, in his best-selling Ethics for a New Millennium, His Holiness the Dalai Lama first proposed an approach to ethics based on universal rather than religious principles. Now, in Beyond Religion, the Dalai Lama, at his most compassionate and outspoken, elaborates and deepens his vision for the nonreligious way.

Transcending the mere "religion wars", he outlines a system of secular ethics that gives tolerant respect to religion, but, with the highest level of spiritual and intellectual authority, makes a claim for what the Dalai Lama calls a third way. This is a universal code of ethics that transcends religion boundaries, that recognizes our common humanity and advocates for a global human community based on understanding and mutual respect.

Beyond Religion is an essential statement from the Dalai Lama, a blueprint for all those who yearn for a life fulfilled and a better world.

This book was given to me as a gift, and I was at first reluctant to pick it up. Once I started digging in, however, I found it memorizing and captivating. The Dalai Lama starts with a basic vocabulary of ethics and morality that starts with our physical sensory input and goes to our enjoyment (or not) of the inputs. From these building blocks, he then goes into how one's moods, innate character, and emotions form our perceptions and projections of everything around us. He contends that in the course of the world, we are but mere blips in the timeline of humanity, so we must use the time well, recognizing that we're connected to everyone else, and learning to expand our compassion and generosity. Finally, the last part of the book walks thru some meditation techniques that allow the reader to build their connectedness and compassion. Recommended!

If you could sum up Beyond Religion in three words, what would they be?

Hope, Wisdom, ClarityWords of wisdom for our age, along with concrete practices to bring this vision of peace into our daily lives. The Dalai Lama has provided the path for humanity in this beautiful book.

I appreciate the generous free offer of the audio book and hope that many people are able to listen.

I've listened to it twice and always hear something new. A forever audiobook...

What other book might you compare Beyond Religion to and why?

A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle. These two men are the epitome of what life's best can be.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Beyond Religion?

Insight into people, why they act like they do, what to respond to them, that my response is up to me, not to take their actions and turn anger at them, what I give out returns to me multiplied - every day, every minute, every situation.

Any additional comments?

Feeling stressed? Enjoy the peaceful feeling this audio book leaves you with.

If you could sum up Beyond Religion in three words, what would they be?

Positive, soothing, progressive

What did you like best about this story?

It validated beliefs I've held & lived by, but wasn't articulate & organized enough to share with others in a way they could truly understand. What a blessing! Although I am not affiliated with any religious tradition, the Dalai Lama spoke directly to my heart, mind & soul. He was open, accepting, respectful & tolerant of all other belief systems, acknowledging the wisdom of traditions other than his own. He is truly one of the world's greatest treasures.

Have you listened to any of Martin Sheen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. I will say that Richard Gere would have been my choice as narrator, for both the quality of his voice & the his affiliation with Buddhism.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Beyond Religion?

I will devote more time to training my mind & meditation.

Any additional comments?

After listening to Beyond Religion, I have to join the Dalai Lama's hope that tenets of a moral, ethical, deliberate, examined life will be taught in schools to provide a positive example to impressionable children, without exposing them to religious dogma.I have been positively affected by this book, have recommended it to at least 10 of my friends, plan to listen to it again (probably again & again over the years until I achieve mastery) & will recommend it to everyone I know at any opportunity.

What made the experience of listening to Beyond Religion the most enjoyable?

There are several things that came together in having me participate in listening to my first ever owned audio book. In my life time with post graduate work, working in the professional business world and as a Retired US Army Major- which sums to more than just 24+ years - I never once owned a book ON: tape, 8 track, LP, reel 2 reel, phonograph, cassette, CD and now a Download! This was an free offer ad of an audio book on FB. I read the first few reviews and had some reluctancy due to the comments made on downloading. I'm am by no means a cyber guru and quite the opposite needing help when it comes to the technical world of gaget changes. But this is the Dali Lami AND it's Martin Sheen narrating and it's FREE! After reading the instructions thoughtfully and carefully I took the plung and with no additional help from a tech wizard - behold within 3 minutes the download was complete, double clicked to move to my iTunes file and then another click to verify both my password and log on ids for Amazon - then low and behold a voice from heaven (that would be my Bose speakers connected to my 27

What about Martin Sheen’s performance did you like?

Martin Sheen is a real gem amongst entertainers. That along with his background history of participating authentically in social matters - he has the credibility of being granted a man worth listening to.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, and the truth be told, I don't have any experience in double tasking and listen to something as important as this. Oh believe me, I know how to quadruple task when I'm in one of those mandatory attendance boring meetings and speeches using my blackberry and iPad to escape. Not this one. I almost wish that there was a visual aid of sorts that might be related. Maybe over tea with a friend listening in with me. I'll figure something for the last couple of hours or start over and invite that friend.

Where does Beyond Religion rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Of course this is a treatise and not a

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Never before has the world so needed a non-religious set of ethical values. Never before have we so needed to speak a common language and realize that we are all of ONE race: the HUMAN race.

Any additional comments?

This book is not in any way anti-religious. How could it be? Look who wrote it. Even the narrator Martin Sheen is a devout Catholic. It will be appreciated by anyone whether religious or Atheist, who has an open mind and the desire to hear a down to earth perspective on the question of morals and ethics for a troubled world.

Would you consider the audio edition of Beyond Religion to be better than the print version?

This is not a meditation book, but the calm cadence of Martin Sheen makes it a very soothing listen. You can tell he is attempting to evoke the peaceful speech of the author. I believe this does contribute something beyond the print version of the book.

What other book might you compare Beyond Religion to and why?

I would compare this book to secular and atheist titles, by authors like Richard Dawkins, that examine philosophy and spirituality, on similar terms, absent the constraints of religion. The book does not attack religious morality, rather it attempts to bridge it to secular humanist ideas about inherent self-worth and dignity of all people. It also provides a counter-argument to some of the writing of Nietzsche.

Have you listened to any of Martin Sheen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First time listener of Martin Sheen narration.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The sincerity and intellectual honesty of the writing impressed me. D'alai Lama writes from deep conviction and continual concern for fellow human beings.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's talks are extremely well attended and often sold out -- 50K in Seattle, 30K in Mexico City are just few of the talks. His underlying message during all of these talks is the promotion of Human Values. In this book, the Dalai Lama shares his wisdom using every day stories and anecdotes and makes it very easy for the reader/listener to relate to these concepts.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beyond Religion?

Fundamental 'Human Values' have no boundaries. They are relevant to everyone regardless of beliefs, race, gender, or age. And that we all have a universal responsibility to create a better world -- full of love and compassion to each other. Each of us have responsibility to prevent destruction of this planet.

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